Mohamed A. Eldesouky has completed his PhD at the age of 36 years from Tanta University and Postdoctoral Studies from School of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis. He is the Director of oculoplasty, and ocular pathology service in Tanta University Eye Hospital. He has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals.

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Tatiana Shilova is the head of the "Dr. Shilova Clinics" and the founder of the Russian branch of an international chain "SMILE EYES", the clinical expert of the company "Carl Zeiss" in cataract surgery. Surgical activity of Professor Shilova is on average up to 200 cataracts, up to 30 vitreoretinal operations and about 100 laser operations per month, including all complex cases, cases of combined pathology and severe eye injuries. For 20 years, Dr. Shilova Tatiana combines clinical work with teaching activities – she works as a clinical Professor and training surgeon in cataract, vitreoretinal and refractive surgery. Member of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Russia's leading expert on laser vision correction ReLEx SMILE.

Cataract, Vitreoretinal and Refractive Surgery

She started her career as a researcher at the Institute of Neurophysiology of the CNR in Pisa directed by Prof L. Maffei, studying adult visual function. She was at University of Pennsylvania (Prof J. Sprague) and at Max-Plank Institute fur psychiatrie, Munich (prof H. Hollender). Later she became interested in the mechanism of the pre and post-natal development of the visual system. She studied the role of neurotransmitters release in collaboration with Prof L. Chalupa and environmental stress (Dr D. Protti). The main interest during the last decade is concentrated on the mechanisms involved in retinal degeneration and protection. She is enrolled in a research program in collaboration with colleagues from Università Cattolica in Rome (prof Falsini) and University of Sydney (prof J.Stone) focused on the relationship between: 1) genetic background, environmental factors and disease progression; and 2) efficacy of antioxidant/neuroprotective treatments. The most recent work is increasingly therapy-oriented. A successful clinical trial on the therapeutic effects of saffron on Age Related Macular Degeneration patients was carried out in collaboration with Prof B. Falsini at Policlinico Gemelli (università Cattolica di Roma). She was partner PI in the Telethon Project Development and application of opto-neural prosthetic devices as a therapeutic approach for Retinitis pigmentosa” coordinator prof. Lanzani- Politecnico di Milano other Partner Prof Benfenati IIT and University of Genova. She is full professor of physiology and External Collaborator NetS Laboratory Neuroscience and Brain Technologies (NBT) Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Genova (Italy)

Mechanisms involved in retinal degeneration and protection

Dr. Greiner, holder of three doctoral degrees, is an ophthalmologist, physician and surgeon, optometrist, teacher and medical research scientist, who has authored over 150 publications in the scientific and medical literature, and holds six U.S. patents and corresponding foreign patents in the areas of treatment of dry eyes and the integument (skin). With extensive training as both a basic and clinical scientist, many of these publications integrate both basic sciences and clinical medicine. In his 30 years of biomedical research, Dr. Greiner has presented more than 175 scientific papers at over 110 domestic and foreign meetings. Dr. Greiner is devoted to both scientific and clinical medical research as well as to clinical medicine in the fields of ophthalmology and surgery.

The development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the care of patients with diseases of the ocular surface.

Fellow of the Orthokeratology Academy of America. Retired Board member of the Orthokeratology Academy of America. Fellowship Committee International Academy Of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control.

Ocular Effects of multiple Sclerosis

Director of CEPROC Center for Eye Prosthesis and Specialized Contactology, CEPROC TECH Division of technology applied to the specialty and CEPROC FLIGHT VISION Visual training for aviation pilots.

Contactologia, manufacturer and adapter of Eye Prosthesis and Fellow Ocularist orbit implants

Hongwei Deng received her B.D. and M.D. in medicine from Zhengzhou University in 1995 and 1999, respectively, and got the Ph.D. from Jinan University, Guangzhou, China in 2002. She has advanced her clinical experience in pediatric ophthalmology field as an observer training for 6 months in Wilmer’s Eye Institute in John Hopkins University and Boston Children’s Hospital. Now, she is the dean of the low vision

Pediatric Ophthalmology

Dr. Fuxiang Zhang, MD is the Medical Director at Downriver Optimeyes Supervision Center-Taylor.

Refractive Cataract Surgery

Christina S. Kamma-Lorger obtained her PhD in corneal tissue engineering at Cardiff University, UK in 2007. Her PhD thesis focused on studying the healing of LASIK flaps and exploring possible ways of improving the recovery of the tissue post operatively. She continued her work in corneal studies using Small and Wide angle X-ray diffraction methods and electron microscopy in the structural Biophysics Group, Cardiff university on an MRC-UK funded post-doc. In 2012 she was appointed beamline scientist in BL11-SWEET beamline at ALBA synchrotron in Barcelona. Her research interests involve the study of corneal structure and function, bone regeneration and skin cancer. She has 29 peer reviewed publications in international journals.

Corneal Tissue Engineering

Dr. DeBroff specializes in cataract and IOL implant surgery. He has particular clinical and research interest in congenital, pediatric developmental, and traumatic cataracts, and multifocal IOL implants. He served as director of cataract and IOL implant surgery at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at the Yale University School of Medicine from 1999 – 2006 and is now an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Yale University. He is now Chief of Ophthalmology at Yale New Haven Hospital/Bridgeport and Chief of cataract/laser surgery at the West Haven Veterans Hospital. He is the managing partner at Eye Surgery Associates LLC in Stratford and New Haven, Connecticut. He received his B.S. and M.D. degrees from Tufts University where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and received the Sandoz Award for academic excellence.

Cataract and IOL Implant Surgery

Dr. Scott LaBorwit, is the President and Founder of Select Eye Care, is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. After completing his ophthalmology residency at the Krieger Eye Institute of Sinai Hospital, Dr. LaBorwit completed a fellowship in glaucoma at the Wilmer Eye Institute of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. LaBorwit has lectured nationally and has been published in major peer-reviewed journals, including Ophthalmology and American Journal of Ophthalmology. He has also been a contributing author for teaching textbooks on glaucoma and eye injury. As a Board Certified ophthalmologist, Dr. LaBorwit’s special areas of expertise include cataract, glaucoma, and LASIK surgery. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Part-Time faculty, at the Wilmer Eye Institute of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Cataract, Glaucoma, and LASIK surgery

Robert S. Stutman, OD, MBA, FAAO graduated from SUNY College of Optometry and completed a residency at the VA Medical Center in Baltimore and his MBA at Loyola College of Maryland. He currently serves as the Director of Optometric Comanagement at Select Eye Care in the Baltimore/Washington DC metro area. Dr. Stutman has contributed publications to peer-reviewed optometric journals and textbooks and has lectured to doctors of optometry nationally. He is the recipient of the Maryland Optometric Association’s Young Optometrist of the Year and Optometrist of the Year. He has served on the QEI Committee of the Maryland State Board of Examiners, and has also served as a past Legislative Chair as well as a Past-President of the Maryland Optometric Association.

Optometry

Dr. Jun Zhao is the Vice-President of Shenzhen Eye Hospital

Ophthalmology

She holds a degree in Medicine from the Faculty of Medical Sciences of State University of Campinas - BR (1985), master's degree in Medicine by Faculty of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas -BR(1997) and PhD in Medicine from the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas –BR (2001). She is currently a State University of Campinas, a founding member and the Brazilian Cornea and Eye Bank. Medical assistant of the discipline of ophthalmology of the Clinical Hospital of the State University of Campinas (CH Unicamp) Chief sector of cornea and external diseases of the ophthalmology discipline of CH Unicamp Physician responsible for corneal transplant team of the CH Unicamp

Ophthalmology, cataract, cornea and external diseases, prevention of blindness.

Choun-Ki Joo MD, PhD is a Prof. of department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea. He completed research fellowship (1992~1994) of cornea and external disease for 2 years at Washington University in USA after finishing residency training (1988) in Korea. Prof Joo has a reputation for his basic and clinical knowledge in the field of cornea/external disease and refractive surgery. He is a frequent invited lecturer at international meetings, and over the past five years has directed one of the most prestigious training programs for specialists in refractive surgery. Prof Joo is the author of many articles in basic and clinical science. Prof Joo is the Director of Laboratory for Ophthalmology & Visual Science. Prof Joo has attracted much attention for his dedication to his patients and helping those in need.

Corneal transplantation, Refractive surgery and Cataract surgery

Chief of the refractive surgery department of ophthalmology clinic «Sokol». MD 1994 -2000 S. M. Kirov Military Medical Academy, Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Ophthalmologist with more than 12 years of career experience and over 6 000 laser surgeries performed. Practice includes extensive experience in different kinds of laser vision correction including LASIK, Femto LASIK, PRK, PTK ,laser treatment of glaucoma, secondary cataract etc. The observership with Dr. Allan Slomovic and Dr. David Rootman specializing in Cornea in the Department of Ophthalmology at Toronto Western Hospital and Toronto laser center, Canada(February 2016,Canada). My interests lie in refractive surgery, keratoconus treatment and corneal transplantation.

refractive surgery, keratoconus treatment and corneal transplantation.

Sergio Ozan completed his studies from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is an optician and contact lens specialist and having enriched experience in the manufacturing of ocular prosthesis. Dr. Sergio is also associated with scientific societies and currently he is a scientific advisor for ocular prosthesis in APO (Association Professional de Optometras in Argentina). He is the precursor and creator of multi-perforated orbital implants i.e. JUMAT, first prosthetic sclera lens and expander of orbit osmotic hydrogel filling for microphthalmia. He is the director of CEPROC along with Ocular Prosthesis Division in Perfect Vision, Santiago, Chile. Dr. Sergio Ozan also developed the one hour customized ocular prosthesis method which is unique in Latin America.

Contact Lenses, Ocular Prosthesis

Ioannis Pallikaris received his medical degree at the University of Thessaloniki, Greece (1972) and completed his residency and PhD thesis at the University of Zurich, Switzerland (1981). During these years, he also completed graduate studies at the University of Munich (Institute of Physiological Optic, 1978), at the University of Vienna (Ultrasound in Ophthalmology, 1979), and at the University of Zurich (Department of microvascular surgery, 1980). Subsequently, he received an honorary consultant position at the Hippocration Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece (1981-1986), and became Director of the Ophthalmology Clinic Hospital of Chania, Greece (1986-1988). He became an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the School of Medicine, University of Crete in 1988 and has been a Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Crete since 1996. Over the course of the years at the University of Crete, he became the founder and director of the Vardinoyannion Eye Institute of Crete (VEIC, 1989) and Institute of Vision and Optics (IVO, 2005), chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Crete, and the director of the Eye Clinic of the University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece (1996-2004). Ioannis Pallikaris was the rector of the University of Crete from 2004 to 2011, while he is also a Board member of ESCRS from 2011.

refractive surgery, visual optics, medical lasers, biopolymers, retinal surgery and image analysis, and the design and development of microsurgical instrumentation.

Dr. Uyar graduated from Hacettepe University Medical School in 1987 and completed his specialization in Ophthalmology at Istanbul Educational and Research Hospital in 1991 and worked there until 2012. His practice and experience is especially in surgical retina, medical retina, ocular trauma, cataract refractive surgery, lasers and medicolegal ophthalmology. In addition to his associate professorship, he has FEBO and FICO titles. He has been working at his own office since 1996 and at the Ophthalmology Clinic of Maltepe University since 2013. Dr. Uyar is member of both some national and international ophthalmological associations and societies.

Surgical retina, medical retina, ocular trauma, cataract refractive surgery, lasers and medicolegal ophthalmology

Dr. Pavel Kuchynka is the Chairman of Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty of Charles University and of Institute for Postgradual Medical Education Prague from 1991 to ptresent. He completed his Ophthalmology Speciality Certification in 1982 from Medical School, Charles University. Now he is also the director of Medical Director of the International Eye Bank, Prague. Presently he is the president of Czech Society of Ophthalmology and Czech Society of Refractive and Cataract Surgery. He is also being the member of International societies and editorials boards like member of the International Committee of the "American Academy of Ophthalmology" - AAO, member of "European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons" – ESCRS, member of the „International Intra-Ocular Implant Club. He is awarded as honorary council member of European Society of Ophthalmology. He is in Editorial member of Ocular Surgery News and Ophthalmology times.

Ocular Surgery

Dr Sergey Cusato has the title of Master of Vision Sciences of La Salle University (2015) with clinical practice in the areas of Primary Care and Contact Lenses at the University Nova Southeastern University United States (September 2012). He has taken his Degree in Optometry from University of Contested Brazil (UNC) in 2008. He is a Director and Researcher Fellow of the Brazilian Institute for Training and Contact Lenses Research (FIBTPLC). He is also the Professor of Contact Lens at Master's (UPA) Universidad Autónoma del Paraguay. He is the member of societies and associations like British Contact Lens Association (BCLA), Contact Lens Society of America (CLSA), Orthokeratology Academy of America (AAOMC ) and Latin American Academy of Orthokeratology and Control of Myopia (ALOCM) and Fellow of the International Association of Contact Lenses Educators (FIACLE).

Primary Care and Contact Lenses

Dr. Fox was a Merit Scholar and an Honors graduate from Colgate University. He received his medical degree at Hahnemann Medical College where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He is the Chief of Refractive Surgery at the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Practice of New York as well as Clarity/TLC Refractive Services in West Orange New Jersey, Dr. Fox cares for patients throughout the metropolitan area for the full spectrum of refractive procedures as well as those seeking care for cornea and external disease issues. With over 20 years of experience in the field, he is widely regarded as a national leader in corneal and refractive surgery. He has performed over 30,000 laser vision correction procedures over the last 15 years.

Cornea and Refractive Surgery

Hae Min Kang earned her MD at the age of 25 from Yonsei University College of Medicine where she also pursued postdoctoral studies. After completion of retinal fellowships, she is now an associate professor at Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine with position of the head of Retinal department in International St.Mary’s Hospital. She has published more than 20 papers in reputed SCI journals, and she has been serving as an editorial board member and the expert reviewer board of repute. Her research interest lies on various retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis. Recently she focuses on various changes in the choroid by using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.

Retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis.

Baswati Prasanth, Specialist Ophthalmology has 10 years of vast experiences from various hospitals in India and other countries, completed her MS Ophthalmology from Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and Fellowship in Glaucoma and Anterior segment from Dr Shroffs Eye Hospital, New Delhi. She is the winner of A D Patwardhan Gold medal from university of Pune. She is the Director of Ophthalmology, Ahalia hospital, Abudhabi. She has published more than 15 papers in reputed journals and has been part of several clinical trials.

Phacoemulsification, small incision cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery

Dr Gyanendra Lamichhane is practicing ophthalmology since 8 years.He has completed his MD from nepal in 2009 in first class first position with Gold Medal.He has completed ICO fellowship in Retina from Gunma university japan and Phaco training from tottori university Japan.Till now he has done more than 20,000 sight saving surgeries .He is associate professor of opthalmology.He has already been director of one of the charitable hospital in Nepal. He has conducted more than 20 free Diabetic Retinopathy Screening camps .He has more than 8 papers published in national and international journals.He is life member of Nepal Ophthalmic society,All India Ophthalmic Society,Macular Society UK and Macular Disease foundation Australia.

Phacoemulsification, Diabetic Retinopathy and AMD

Janardan Kumar holds a Ph.D. degree in chemistry under kind supervision of Dr. C. M. Gupta, ex-director, CDRI, Lucknow, India. In the United States, first he received postdoctoral training on motor proteins in the laboratory of Michael P. Sheetz, a lasker award winner, at Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina. He published his work on kinectin, a myocilin like protein, in Science (1995), and an abnormality in myocilin has been predicted to be involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.Prior to coming to Becker College, while a research assistant professor at Tufts University, Kumar engineered a new real time perfusion system used for the discovery of drugs to treat glaucoma. Presently, Kumar is chair of the natural sciences department, and is actively engaged in the advancement of course curriculum in microbiology, chemistry, and developing the biotechnology/biology major at Becker College.

glaucoma, microbiology and chemistry

Jacob Lorenzo-Morales completed his PhD in the University of La Laguna in 2001 and held postdoctoral positions at the University of Edinburgh until December 2011 when he was granted a Ramón y Cajal Tenure Track Fellowship by the Spanish Government. His work has been focused in Free-Living Amoebae infections mainly Acanthamoeba keratitis. He has published more than 60 papers in reputed journals in the parasitology and tropical medicine fields. He has been the Scientific Secretary in the last two editions of the International free-living amoebae meetings (FLAM 2009 and 2011), invited speaker at the symposium of free-living amoebae of the International Congress of Parasitology 2014. In November 2013 he was awarded the Individual Award for Young Canary Islands Citizens by the Canary Islands Government in recognition to his research career.

Contact lens, Ocular diseases

Ingrid Kreissig is currently a Professor at Department of Ophthalmology Univ. Mannheim-Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany. She is also serving as Adjunct Professor at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York. Her specialization includes, Posterior Segment of the Eye: St. Gall/Switzerland, Bonn/Germany, and New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center/USA. During 1979-2000, she has been the Chairman of Univ. Tuebingen/Germany. She has published more than 404 papers, those are been published in national and international journals of ophthalmology, basically on topics such as surgery of retinal detachment with long-term follow-up of anatomic and functional results, cryopexy histology, tumors, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and intravitreal pharmacotherapy. She has also published many books.

AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and intravitreal pharmacotherapy.

Luiz Guilherme, is graduated in Medicine from the University of Grande Rio - RJ- Brazil, He did his Ophthalmology residency at the Hospital de Olhos Santa Luzia / Santa Luzia Foundation (Recife - PE - Brazil). He did his fellowship in Retina and Vitreous by Federal University of Goias, after graduating from the Federal University of Goias. He is a member of the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO), Brazilian Society of Retina and Vitreous, International Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retina Specialists also he posses the membership of Scientific reviewer of the Brazilian Archives of Ophthalmology, the Expert Board and Scientific reviewer of the International Journal of Ophthalmology. He contributes as author of scientific publications and chapters books of ophthalmology, he is serving as a professor of the Ophthalmology Residency at the Hospital de Olhos Santa Luzia.

Retina

Miguel Rechichi has completed his training in ophthalmology at 28 and his PhD at 32 from Magna Graecia University and Diploma of Specialist Superior in Ophthalmology from University of Lugano (Switzerland). He’s actually a researcher for Magna Graecia University and Director of corneal and refractive Surgery service of S.Lucia Eye Clinic, Cosenza, Italy. He was a pioneer of crosslinking clinical application and actually is involved in developing new accelerated cxl protocols for which he’s invited as opinion leader to several meetings. He has published several papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of reputed Journals.

Optical Coherence Tomography, Cornea

Sarah Zhang is currently a tenured Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Biochemistry, and Neuroscience at School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York. She is a faculty member at the SUNY Eye Institute and Graduate School at SUNY Buffalo. Sarah Zhang is a well-established clinician-scientist and vision researcher and has published over 75 peer-reviewed journal articles, reviews and book chapters. Her laboratory studies disease mechanisms and ER stress signaling in diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and glaucomatous retinopathy. Dr. Zhang has served on Editorial boards for 7 professional journals and on NIH and international grant review panels.

Diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and glaucomatous retinopathy

Yoko Miura has completed her M.D. in 1997 and Ph.D. in 2002 from Osaka City University in Japan. Clinical training was completed in eye clinic of Osaka City University Hospital and since 2002 a specialist of ophthalmology. In 2005 started research work in University of Kiel in Germany and in 2009 moved to Institute of Biomedical Optics, University of Luebeck. Today engages in the research and clinical works in Institute of Biomedical Optics and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Luebeck. Leading some research projects related to retinal cell biology. Since 2010 adjunct lecturer of Osaka City University.

Biomedical Optics

Chi-Chao Chan earned her M.D. from Johns Hopkins University and ophthalmology residency from Stanford University School of Medicine. She has completed two post-doctoral fellowships: ophthalmic pathology at Wilmer Institute, Johns Hopkins and clinical ocular immunology at National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health. Chan is the Chief of Immunopathology Section, Laboratory of Immunology and Head of Histopathology Core, National Eye Institute, the federal government medical research institute in the US. She has published 579 papers in peer-reviewed journals and one textbook. She also serves as an Editorial Board Member for 15 medical journals.

Age-related macular degeneration

Mitra received his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1983 from the University of Kansas. Upon graduation he was employed as an Assistant Professor of Biopharmaceutics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for one year. In 1984, he joined Purdue University as an Assistant Professor and later became an Associate Professor of Physical Pharmacy from 1989-1994. That year in 1994, he was accepted as Professor and Chairman of UMKC School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He received the University of Missouri Curators Professor of Pharmacy Award in 2002. Within two years, he was appointed Co-Director, Kansas City Vision Research Center, UMKC School of Medicine and UMKC Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Research.

Delivery and targeting of antiviral agents and development of noninvasive delivery systems for peptide and protein drugs.

Kay Rittenhouse has an extensive career in ophthalmic drug research and development, spanning from drug discovery, translational research, clinical development through launch. She has developed drug targets presented on platforms such as small molecules, aptamers, antibodies, and siRNAs. She is a sought after presenter and chair of scientific conferences and forums and has published abstracts, book chapters, and manuscripts for peer reviewed journals. Her drug development expertise includes indications such as glaucoma, retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and AMD, uveitis, and diseases of the ocular surface. She received a Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her dissertation research explored the pharmacodynamics of glaucoma drugs and special expertise in ocular microdialysis. She has pharmaceutical industry experience, having worked at Alcon Laboratories, Bausch and Lomb, and Pfizer.

Glaucoma, retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy

Tao Lowe is an Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at University of Tennessee. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor of Surgery, Bioengineering, and Materials Science and Engineering, and Co-Director of the Integrated Graduate Degree Molecular Toxicology Program at Pennsylvania State University. She received her Ph.D. with an Eximia Cum Laude from the University of Helsinki, Finland, and conducted two years postdoctoral research in the Chemical Engineering Department at University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has published more than two dozen papers in reputed journals, and has given more than 150 presentations and 60 invited talks. She has trained ca. 60 students, including PhD, MD, MD/PhD, PharmD, and PharmD/PhD. She is a peer reviewer for more than 30 refereed journals, and serves on the editorial boards of 6 international journals. She has chaired more than 40 sessions at international conferences.

ocular diseases, Drug delivery

Qiu is an innovative ophthalmology physician, retinal surgeon, stem cell biologist and ocular transplant specialist by trainings with 19-years global ophthalmic experiences acquiring a broad array of scientific, medical, surgical, translational therapeutics and entrepreneurial experiences, focusing on early stage clinical translation and post marketing medical affairs at the cutting edge scientific forefronts. She held positions with increased importance at BetaStem, Sucampo, Inotek and GSK, and consulted for senior executives to support portfolio and investment decision-making. She published and lectured across the globe (UK, US, China and Japan) and featured at “Scientific America” and National Eye Research Center, UK. She obtained her M.D. (honors) from Nanchang University and PhD from Sun Yat-sen University in collaboration with Sheie Eye Institute, Univ. of Pennsylvania, followed by postdoctoral fellowships at Boston University and Doheny Eye Institute.

Retinal surgery, stem cell biology and ocular transplantation.

Carlota Saldanha has completed her Ph.D. at the age of 39 years from Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Postdoctoral studies from Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa (FMUL). She has a Master in Medical Education. She is Associate Professor with Habilitation in FMUL and Head of Unit of Microvascular Biology and Inflammation in Instituto de Medicina Molecular (IMM) of FMUL. She has published more than 80 papers in reputed journals and serving as an editorial board member of repute journal.

Microvascular Biology

Ingrid Kreissig is currently a Professor at Department of Ophthalmology Univ. Mannheim-Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany. She is also serving as Adjunct Professor at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York. Her specialization includes, Posterior Segment of the Eye: St. Gall/Switzerland, Bonn/Germany, and New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center/USA. During 1979-2000, she has been the Chairman of Univ. Tuebingen/Germany. She has published more than 404 papers, those are been published in national and international journals of ophthalmology, basically on topics such as surgery of retinal detachment with long-term follow-up of anatomic and functional results, cryopexy histology, tumors, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and intravitreal pharmacotherapy. She has also published many books.

Retinal detachment surgery, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), posterior segment laser surgery, angiography, OCT, Medical Retina. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and application of intravitreal pharmacotherapy for various edematous and neovascular retinal/macular diseases.

Rebecca Sappington earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, where she studied mechanisms of ganglion cell death in glaucoma. Rebecca continued her work on neuronal-glial interactions in glaucoma as a postdoctoral fellow at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (2004-2009). In 2009, Rebecca joined the faculty at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, where her laboratory focuses on neuroinflammation in retinal neurodegeneration. Rebecca´s training was supported by institutional training grants from the National Institute for Neurological Disease and Stroke and the National Eye Institute as well as a postdoctoral fellowship from Fight for Sight. Her work is currently supported by a RO1 from the National Eye Institute and a Career Development Award from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc.

Neuroinflammation in retinal neurodegeneration

Yoko Miura completed M.D. in 1997 and Ph.D. in 2002 from Osaka City University in Japan. Her Clinical training was completed in eye clinic of Osaka City University Hospital and since 2002 a specialist of ophthalmology. In 2005 she started research work in University of Kiel in Germany and in 2009 moved to Institute of Biomedical Optics, University of Luebeck. Now she is engaged in the research and clinical works in Institute of Biomedical Optics and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Luebeck. She is leading some research projects related to retinal cell biology. She is working as adjunct lecturer at Osaka City University since 2010.

Biomedical Optics, Ophthalmology

Sayon Roy received his Ph.D. from Boston University and completed his postdoctoral training at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University. He is currently a professor of Medicine, Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, and a professor of Ophthalmology at Boston University School of Medicine. Recognized as an expert in retinal vascular biology, Roy’s seminal work has identified several genes in the retina that are abnormally expressed in diabetic retinopathy. His pioneering work has led to novel gene modulatory techniques in retinal vascular cells using antisense oligonucleotides via intravitreal injection. Roy has received numerous awards including the American Diabetes Association Research Award for the commitment and dedication towards the fight against diabetes, the 2006 Mentor of the Year Award from Boston University, and the 2008 Innovative Award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Research in Roy\'s laboratory has been funded by several organizations including the National Eye Institute, NIH, National Medical Technology Testbed, American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, Fight for Sight, Research to Prevent Blindness, and the Lions Organization. Roy currently serves as a chartered member of the NEI Study Section of the National Institutes of Health.

Diabetic Retinopathy

S. Patricia Becerra received a Doctorate degree (Major in Biochemistry) from the University of Navarra, Spain. Her postdoctoral training was in biochemistry at the National Cancer Institute, and in molecular virology at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD. Becerra is head of the Section of Protein Structure and Function, Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology, National Eye Institute, NIH. She is an author of more than 70 peer-reviewed articles, reviews and book chapters. She serves as an editorial board member and reviewer of several journals in biochemistry, molecular biology and ophthalmology.

Protein Structure and Function

Alireza Ziaei, M.D. is a recipient of numerous awards and grants including National Excellent Researchers Award and the Science Excellence Prize in Iran. Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Medical School, as a Research Scientist, he performs Basic Science Research at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston. Ziaei’s interest and current research focus is on corneal and ocular surface diseases and his seminal work has been recognized several times. He published and presented numerous articles in highly ranked peer–reviewed journals and conferences. Ziaei has participated as a scientific and organizing committee of several International meetings and presented at numerous international meetings, including a number of invited presentations. Ziaei is member of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), International Society for Eye Research (ISER), Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS). He is serving as an Executive Editor and Editorial Board member of reputed journals and scientific societies. Ziaei serves as a Reviewer of various scientific journals including the American Journal of Ophthalmology (AJO), British Journal of Ophthalmology (BJO), the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, International Journal of Ophthalmic Pathology (IJOP) and the Journal of Cell Biology: Research & Therapy (CBRT).

Corneal and ocular surface diseases, mainly on the pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Bruce Gaynes holds doctorate degrees in both pharmacy and optometry as well as a graduate degree in pharmacology from the Indiana University Medical Sciences Program. He holds a joint appointment at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Hines, IL and Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, Maywood, IL.

Ophthalmic drug delivery

Kip M Connor is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School. He received his Ph.D. degree from Albany Medical College in 2005. Dr. Connor did his post-graduate work at Children’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, where he also obtained his first faculty position from 2005 to 2010. In 2010 Dr. Connor joined MEEIs Howe and Angiogenesis Laboratories at MEEI. Connors current research focuses on the role of immunity and inflammation using animal models of ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, retinopathies (diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity), auto-immune uveitis, retinal detachment and retinal degenerations.

Marco Attilio Eugenio Zarbin, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. received a B.A. (biochemistry) from Dartmouth College (Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, with highest distinction) in 1978. He matriculated to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1978 and entered their Medical Scientist Training Program in 1980. Zarbin was awarded degrees in medicine (M.D.) and pharmacology (Ph.D.) in 1984 and graduated from the Hopkins Medical School as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He completed an ophthalmology residency at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1985-1988. As a resident, Zarbin was the co-recipient of the Francis S. Schwentker Award for resident research. Zarbin completed fellowships in vitreoretinal surgery and in medical retinal disease at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute as a Head Ophthalmic Foundation Fellow and was an Assistant Chief of Service at Wilmer in 1989. He received certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology in November 1989. From 1990-1993, Zarbin served as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco and as Chief of the division of Ophthalmology at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco. He was named co-director of the retinal service at UCSF in 6/93. Zarbin was appointed Chair of the Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, New Jersey Medical School and Chief of Ophthalmology at University Hospital in Newark, N.J. in January 1994. He is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience at the New Jersey Medical School and holds the Alfonse A. Cinotti, MD/Lions Eye Research Chair in the Department of Ophthalmology. Zarbin is the Editor-in-Chief of Translational Vision Science and Technology and has served an Associate Editor of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science and as a member of the Editorial Board of Survey of Ophthalmology. Zarbin is a Vice Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Zarbin is an ex officio member of: 1) the board of Governors of the New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology, and 2) the National Advisory Eye Council of the National Institutes of Health. In addition, he is a member of the American Ophthalmological Society, the Retina Society, the Macula Society, and the Vitreous Society. Zarbin is a Past President of the Board of Trustees of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and has served as the alternate AUPO representative to the Council of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In the past Zarbin served as a member of the Preferred Practice Pattern Committee (Retina Panel) of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Chair of the Program Planning Committee of the American Ophthalmological Society, Chair of the Retinal Cell Biology Program Planning Committee of the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and Chair of the Professional Development and Education Committee of ARVO. Zarbin also has served as a member of the Visual Sciences C Study Section, Division of Research/Grants

Retinal cell transplantation

Iva Dekaris has completed her medical studies at the age of 24, PhD at 30, became Associate Professor at the age of 35 and Professor at 40. Her postdoctoral studies were both at the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Harvard Medical School (Boston, USA) and at the Ruđer Boskovic research Institute in Zagreb (Croatia). She became ophthalmic-specialist in 1999 and subspecialized in corneal and cataract surgery. From 2010 she is a President of the European Eye Bank Association (EEBA) and Medical Director of the University Eye Hospital Svjetlost. She has published 42 papers in CC journals and over 250 abstracts.

Corneal transplantation, cataract and refractive surgery,and basic and clinical medical integration in the field of corneal transplantation and anterior eye segment surgery

Ayman A. Alkawas has completed his MBBCh at the age of 23 years old from Zagazig University, Egypt. He completed his Master Degree of Ophthalmology from the same university in 1994. He completed his retina fellowship in 1998 in Michigan, USA with Associated Retinal Consultants at Beaumont hospital and Oakland University. He completed his Doctorate Degree of Ophthalmology in 1999 in Zagazig Univesristy. He is currently a Professor of Ophthalmology at Zagazig University, Egypt. He published more than 23 papers in reputed local and International journals and acted as reviewer for 5 International journals. He is an Editorial Board Member of one of the reputed journals.

Posterior segment and anterior segment fields (medical and surgical)

Timothy Duong was the winner of the ISMRM Rabi’s Young Investigator Award (1998), a NSF predoctoral fellowship (1994-1998), and a recipient of a NIH NRSA postdoctoral fellowship (1999-2001) during postdoc training at the Center of Magnetic Resonance Research at the University of Minnesota. Duong is the Stanley I Glickman Professor of Ophthalmology, Radiology and Physiology, MRI Division Chief, Assistant Director of Research of the Research Imaging Institute. Duong is a recipient of the VA Career Development Award (2007-2009) and the Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association (2009-2014).

Speckle and optical imaging

Susumu Ishida undertook his residency in ophthalmology at Keio University Hospital after completing his medical degree at the age of 24 years. He completed fellowships in the Department of Ophthalmology at Keio University School of Medicine, and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School, and received a PhD from Keio University on the subject of vascular endothelial growth factor in diabetic retinopathy. Ishida is an author on over 150 scientific publications (impact factor: over 450) and currently Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology at Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine in Sapporo, Japan.

The roles of VEGF in age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy

Lisa Christian graduated from Queen\\\'s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry in 1999, and earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2003. Following graduation, she completed a residency at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry in Paediatrics and Binocular Vision. Christian is currently a Clinical Lecturer and Interim Associate Director for Clinical Programs at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science. She is also Head of the Binocular Vision Clinic. Christian is the faculty liaison for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and has been a Committee member for the College of Optometrists in Ontario since 2006.

Optometry

Sayon Roy received his PhD from Boston University and completed his postdoctoral training at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University. Roy is currently a professor of Medicine, Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, and a professor of Ophthalmology at Boston University School of Medicine. Recognized as an expert in retinal vascular biology, Roy’s seminal work has identified several genes in the retina that are abnormally expressed in diabetic retinopathy. His pioneering work has led to novel gene modulatory techniques in retinal vascular cells using antisense oligonucleotides via intravitreal injection. Roy has received numerous awards including the American Diabetes Association Research Award for the commitment and dedication towards the fight against diabetes, the 2006 Mentor of the Year Award from Boston University, and the 2008 Innovative Award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Research in Roy’s laboratory has been funded by several organizations including the National Eye Institute, NIH, National Medical Technology Testbed, American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, Fight for Sight, Research to Prevent Blindness, and the Lions Organization. Roy currently serves as a chartered member of the NEI Study Section of the National Institutes of Health.

Vascular basement membrane thickening is a prominent and characteristic lesion of diabetic retinopathy. We have hypothesized that excess synthesis of basement membrane components occurring in diabetes is a critical pathogenetic event in the development of vascular basement membrane thickening and complications of diabetic retinopathy. Having shown that the mRNA level of basement membrane components fibronectin and collagen IV are increased in diabetic retinas, our laboratory plans to reduce the synthesis of these basement membrane components by using antisense oligonucleotides, a powerful molecular biological tool that offers a unique opportunity to down regulate specific gene expression.

Yoko Ozawa M.D., Ph.D. works as a chief of the Medical Retina Division (Age-related macular disease; AMD division) and also a vitreoretinal surgeon, as well as a Lab chief of the Laboratory of Retinal Cell Biology (RCB lab). Her main research interest is the neuroprotection and oxidative stress in the retinal diseases, such as AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and diabetic retinopathy.

AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and diabetic retinopathy.